- Title
- The effect of an alkyl chain and β-diketonato-metal moiety on the photochromic behaviour of azobenzene compounds as materials for solar thermal fuels
- Creator
- Bokhe, Witness Londi
- Subject
- Photochemistry
- Subject
- Isomerization
- Subject
- Solar thermal energy
- Subject
- Solar thermal fuel
- Subject
- Liquid crystals
- Subject
- Optical materials
- Date Issued
- 2024-10-11
- Date
- 2024-10-11
- Type
- Academic theses
- Type
- Master's theses
- Type
- text
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10962/464510
- Identifier
- vital:76517
- Description
- Scientists have been studying the development of renewable energy technologies in detail to create a sustainable energy supply. Among many new advanced material classes being researched recently are photo functional and photo responsive materials. These classes include azobenzene derivatives which are characterized by azo linkage (N=N) sandwiched by two phenyl rings. The trans-to-cis isomerization of azobenzene is a highly efficient and reversible process, making it an ideal candidate for solar thermal energy storage. This research investigates the impact of alkyl chain modifications and the incorporation of a β-diketonato-copper(II) complex on azobenzene derivatives, aiming to optimize their performance as efficient components in solar thermal fuel cells (STFs). The study focuses on a comprehensive analysis of these materials' ability to capture, convert, store, and release solar energy for enhanced sustainability in renewable energy applications. Experimental methodologies include synthesis of azobenzene derivatives with varying alkyl chain length, n (where n =8 & 10) and coordination of these compounds with a β-diketonato-copper(II) complex. Standard analytical techniques such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H and 13C NMR), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy (UV/vis) were employed for chemical analysis of the synthesized material. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Polarised Optical Microscope (POM) were used to study the thermal properties and morphology. The photostationery states were determined using NMR spectroscopy and the kinetic parameters of the cis-to-trans relaxation process determined by a UV spectroscopy study. The cis-to-trans isomerisation had a longer half-life than the trans-to-cis isomerisation. The band gap of the isomers is within the range of semiconducting inorganic materials. DSC and POM thermograms showed that the compounds are liquid crystalline. Finally, the study reports that the synthesised azobenzene derivatives show potential as material for solar thermal fuel cells because of their photo-isomerization ability. Furthermore, the synthesised compounds contribute to the advancement of sustainable and efficient solar energy utilization technologies, addressing the growing demand for clean energy solutions in the face of global environmental challenges. Because solar energy may be stored and used without causing direct emissions or pollution, they are considered clean energy. If solar thermal fuels fulfil sustainability standards, they may qualify as green energy. This entails minimising adverse effects on the environment, using non-toxic chemicals and procedures.
- Description
- Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2024
- Format
- computer
- Format
- online resource
- Format
- application/pdf
- Format
- 1 online resource (104 pages)
- Format
- Publisher
- Rhodes University
- Publisher
- Faculty of Science, Chemistry
- Language
- English
- Rights
- Bokhe, Witness Londi
- Rights
- Use of this resource is governed by the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons "Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike" License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/)
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RU Department of Chemistry
| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | SOURCE1 | BOKHE-MSC-TR24-171.pdf | 3 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |